Special Teams...?

FirefightnRick · August 19, 2013

I have a gut feeling the balance of a good season weigh's on the talents of our special teams?

How do our kickers look this year? Can they hit their field goals consitently? What is their range? Can they even get it over the line or are they hitting the center in the ass?

What about our deep snapper and punters? Consistent, inconsistent?

What kind of hang time do the punters have?

Do we have anyone who can stick it inside the 20 this year like we were accustomed to the past 3 or 4?

Who are the gunners expected to go down and make special team tackles? Any names there?

Rick

Harry · August 20, 2013

Think we're good with Olen. Macek is unproven but has the ability. I think we'll be better on coverage just due to the fact we have more speed and depth.

eulessismore · August 20, 2013

Two words: Zed Evans. And I expect others of the new and improved secondary players will be out there. I am interested to see whatever changes the new ST coach (Tommy Perry?) will bring, as he was supposedly a good get.

GOMG2013 · August 20, 2013

Special teams looked below average to me. Return game was barely there the games I saw. Lots of fair catching on punt return.

Very slow team in every area from what I saw.

Im hoping we get someone that is somewhat dangerous and is willing to return kicks. James Jones, zed Evans, and other faster young players should improve special teams.

FirefightnRick · August 20, 2013

Special teams looked below average to me. Return game was barely there the games I saw. Lots of fair catching on punt return.
Very slow team in every area from what I saw.
Im hoping we get someone that is somewhat dangerous and is willing to return kicks. James Jones, zed Evans, and other faster young players should improve special teams.

Thank you.

Rick

GrayEagle · August 20, 2013

Olen should be fine on field goals and extra points. Macek could be a couple of yards less than we've been used to but I believe that he can pick up the slack with a little experience.

I told Coach Perry that he may have inherited the worst return and coverage teams in the FBS. I'd bet that he's devoted a lot of time to correct special teams since his main job with the running backs was figuring who was best in certain situations. I also believe that the addition of James Jones will give us a legitimate return specialist. There is a lot more speed this year if he can utilize it because some of the fastest players are starters. There should be improvement in all four return and coverage units.

SHOSS · August 20, 2013

I too was interested in getting the fastest players on the team to return kicks... Chancellor has done pretty well. I'm simply concerned about putting him back there on punts cause he never seems to catch the punt...and I don't like him on kick returns cause I feel like that is the most violent part of the game. We need that young man contributing on offense. But, then again, if he's the best at it, run him out there. So, yes, I just contradicted myself.

One aspect of our special teams that has been maddening for the past couple years is the blocked kick. Take the Kansas State game last year. We drive all the way down the field in the 3rd quarter to get the game tieing touchdown, and the extra point was blocked. Also, I believe we had atleast one field goal blocked in the first half. It is just deflating... On the flip side, how many times have we blocked kicks in recent years?

Also, blocking a punt is a huge game changer. I can remember blocking the punt in the SMU home game with good ole Dickey... I know we may have blocked one more somewhat recently. Can't think if it right now.

southsideguy · August 20, 2013

Oh well lets throw in the towel on this season before it even starts. Give the coaches and players a chance to play. Why would anyone want to come here and play with fans like us? We tear down our own teams. I grew up in El Paso and the Miners were getting beat 86-6 etc etc. They were so bad that the band played the fight song on getting a first down. Yet the crowds (not as big) continued to come to the games and cheer for the miners. We need to get behind the team and give them a home field advantage. Granted this is my first year back living in the area and my first year buying season tickets. I think we will be better than people think. Put on the green shades on and let the good times roll, football season is almost here!

Harry · August 20, 2013

Hey SHOSS how about giving KState a kickoff return right after marching down the field and scoring on them --- talk about unbelievable setback and refusal to maintain momentum!!!

I just want to see a smart tough football team. Don't need glamour or 4-star ratings. Just a hardworking team that isn't constantly shooting itself in the foot.

eulessismore · August 21, 2013

Hey SHOSS how about giving KState a kickoff return right after marching down the field and scoring on them --- talk about unbelievable setback and refusal to maintain momentum!!!
I just want to see a smart tough football team. Don't need glamour or 4-star ratings. Just a hardworking team that isn't constantly shooting itself in the foot.

I hate to ask this, but did that same guy run back another td on us last year?

PlummMeanGreen · August 21, 2013

Oh well lets throw in the towel on this season before it even starts. Give the coaches and players a chance to play. Why would anyone want to come here and play with fans like us? We tear down our own teams. I grew up in El Paso and the Miners were getting beat 86-6 etc etc. They were so bad that the band played the fight song on getting a first down. Yet the crowds (not as big) continued to come to the games and cheer for the miners. We need to get behind the team and give them a home field advantage. Granted this is my first year back living in the area and my first year buying season tickets. I think we will be better than people think. Put on the green shades on and let the good times roll, football season is almost here!

:thumbsu: Yes, yes...

We have to all pull together and do the solidarity thing (a la that 1994 season when we all pulled out the stops to the person to regain NCAA D1-A classification) and because in a weird sort of way I also think a college football team can tell if we're not.

Edited August 21, 2013 by PlummMeanGreen

glick1980 · August 21, 2013

Olen should be fine on field goals and extra points. Macek could be a couple of yards less than we've been used to but I believe that he can pick up the slack with a little experience.

I told Coach Perry that he may have inherited the worst return and coverage teams in the FBS. I'd bet that he's devoted a lot of time to correct special teams since his main job with the running backs was figuring who was best in certain situations. I also believe that the addition of James Jones will give us a legitimate return specialist. There is a lot more speed this year if he can utilize it because some of the fastest players are starters. There should be improvement in all four return and coverage units.

Worst FG protection unit I have ever seen. And why the hell do we not catch punts in the air? That frustrates me more than anything we do. Edited August 21, 2013 by glick1980

GOMG2013 · August 21, 2013

I knew the coverage was bad, but I just read on a preview that came out a few days ago that unt returned kickoffs for a 19 yard average which ranked 104. the punt return was 117. The team leader was 10 yards on 5 returns. Whaaa? Seriously? How did we win 4 games?

SHOSS · August 21, 2013

Hey SHOSS how about giving KState a kickoff return right after marching down the field and scoring on them --- talk about unbelievable setback and refusal to maintain momentum!!!
t.

Oh yeah... Good point....

UNT90 · August 21, 2013

Worst FG protection unit I have ever seen. And why the hell do we not catch punts in the air? That frustrates me more than anything we do.

If Chancellor lines up as the return man on Idaho's 1st punt, we will know that unit is doomed to be terrible again this year.

Love him as a wide out, but he has zero instincts as a punt returner.

GOMG2013 · August 21, 2013

If Chancellor lines up as the return man on Idaho's 1st punt, we will know that unit is doomed to be terrible again this year.
Love him as a wide out, but he has zero instincts as a punt returner.

Kidsey returned punts in high school. Give him a shot. James Jones returned in hs and maybe even juco. I also read where Erick Evans is supposed to be a specialist. No way chancellor should be back there especially coming off a broken collarbone. Hes not going to risk injury his senior year.

I keep getting this reoccurring theme with this staff. Very safe, scared to take risks, trust issues....come on.

H-towngreen · August 21, 2013

Kidsey returned punts in high school. Give him a shot. James Jones returned in hs and maybe even juco. I also read where Erick Evans is supposed to be a specialist. No way chancellor should be back there especially coming off a broken collarbone. Hes not going to risk injury his senior year.
I keep getting this reoccurring theme with this staff. Very safe, scared to take risks, trust issues....come on.

Glad to see Kidsy moving up the depth chart. Hopefully he represents for FBISD!

An Aquarian · August 21, 2013

If Chancellor lines up as the return man on Idaho's 1st punt, we will know that unit is doomed to be terrible again this year.
Love him as a wide out, but he has zero instincts as a punt returner.

I was so frustrated at the Troy game when he would call for a fair catch when he had about 10 yards to start running. I'm sure they coach be sure if you're going to return it but still.

GOMG2013 · August 22, 2013

I was so frustrated at the Troy game when he would call for a fair catch when he had about 10 yards to start running. I'm sure they coach be sure if you're going to return it but still.

And in a game you lose 14-7, anything could have made a difference. No way a special teams coach wants his team to play that way. It like no even having a special teams coach. How can you even put that on your coaching resume?

GOMG2013 · August 22, 2013

Glad to see Kidsy moving up the depth chart. Hopefully he represents for FBISD!

Kidsey and Davis have been rotating with the 1s and 2s. 1s in certain situations and certain looks. Its safe to assume they wont be redshirted. I assume kidsey has been playing some slot when they go 4 wide. I was told that the defense has been running a lot of nickel. buyers is going to probably be first DB off the bench. Jones is probably the nickel. As the season goes on, expect kidsey and Davis to playba lot more. They still have a lot to learn.

Harry · August 22, 2013

Kidsey and Davis have been rotating with the 1s and 2s. 1s in certain situations and certain looks. Its safe to assume they wont be redshirted. I assume kidsey has been playing some slot when they go 4 wide. I was told that the defense has been running a lot of nickel. buyers is going to probably be first DB off the bench. Jones is probably the nickel. As the season goes on, expect kidsey and Davis to playba lot more. They still have a lot to learn.

Good stuff as usual. Encouraging to see these younger guys getting time.